Well done RC.

The Ritz-Carlton Beijing was immaculate throughout the property. Which naturally I adored. What I loved most this hotel and the city itself was the people -- the pride they take in everything they do. When they respond to a request with, "My pleasure."  you know they mean it. Not that I had many requests. Hit.

Some insects are cool.

I don’t have an issue with insects as long as they’re not in my bed, hair or salad. These giant stainless steel ants are a creation of artist Chen Zhiguang and were on display at Mook The Gallery of Contemporary Art in the 798 art zone of Beijing. Hit. 

Brooms with a past.

On a Hutong tour (an ecosystem of lanes and alleys) I met this mop and broom. I stopped to talk to this couple as I made my way through one of the few old remaining neighborhoods that are an homage to Beijing's past. The conversation I had with them was more fascinating than any of the ones I've had with a Swiffer. Hit.

70 kilometres outside Beijing.

The sky was a brilliant blue and the air clean the day I climbed three stairs at the Great Wall of China. Take my advice, don't wear skinny jeans if you want to conquer this piece of history. Hit.

Not all days were like this.

Truth be told I didn't run a marathon in Beijing because it's difficult to run more than six city blocks in heels. Plus, my friends who had previously visited this city frightened me with their personal horror stories of burning eyes, sore throats and flaming lungs. As a precaution I limited my outdoor time. I was fortunate because the sky only looked like this on one day of my week-long visit. FYI, I didn't experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms and believe it or not I didn't even wear a mask. Although I did bring one with me. Hit & Miss.

Whimsical and clean.

Red stall? Blue stall? Not all toilets in Beijing are squatters. The one pictured here is in one of my all-time favorite restaurants anywhere. The Whampoa Club is located in the Financial District in a courtyard house. I divided my time equally between the washroom complete with mood lighting that you can still see yourself in (and the surroundings) and an attendant who would turn the water faucets on and off for me and the dining area where food served included secret ingredients my waiter told me, "Would keep woman young."

I was so excited by this restaurant I asked for a tour of the kitchen which the chef was more than happy to take me on. The area was pristine. A truly fantastic feature of the Whampoa Club was the see-through ceiling pool with fish. You could point to your entree of choice and they would kill it for you upon order. Now I can say I've been fishing.

Worse than a doorknob.

I never thought I would say this, but yes, these fringed toilet doors in Beijing caused me more grief than a doorknob. At least with a doorknob you know where the concentration of germs are. With this fringed business it was a crapshoot. I chose to kick my way out. I still got slapped in the face. Miss.

I thought I was a master squatter.

Until this. Try as I did I just couldn't hit my mark in this public squat toilet at the Great Wall of China in Beijing. It was as if I had an invisible penis with a mind of its own. I guess quite like having a real penis. As I hovered above the ground, my urine sprayed left, right, frontwards, backwards, on the ceiling, on my shoes, on someone else's shoes. It was hideous. I tried to run away as fast as I could, but my feet kept sticking to the ground. This is why you should never place your handbag, man bag or shopping bag on the floor in a restroom or on any floor for that matter. Being the Hygiene Hunter I was able to clean my hands because I always carry wet wipes or hand sani with me. This facility had no soap or paper towels. FYI, this is not my urine. I prefer taking pictures of other people's urine. Miss.